Thousands attack police in southern China

Thousands of Chinese have attacked the police in the southern city of Shenzhen.

By Malcolm Moore in Shanghai

7:05PM GMT 07 Nov 2008

Early reports from the Xinhua state news agency said that the clashes began on Friday afternoon local time and were ongoing.

It offered no further details of the incident mentioned in an "urgent" report, but fights occasionally break out between the authorities and civilian population when people are forcibly moved from their homes or land when it is to be developed for industry.

The clashes in Shenzhen followed just hours after anti-mainland protesters clashed with riot police in Taiwan at the end of a week of talks between Taipei politicians and and envoys from Beijing.

Around 1,000 rioters armed with petrol bombs squared up to more than 2,000 police, backed by water cannons, outside the Grand Hotel, where Chen Yunlin, Beijing's top negotiator on Taiwanese issues, was staying.

Almost 120 policemen were injured and 12 arrests were made.

It was the first visit by a delegation of senior Chinese officials to the island since 1949.

Both sides admitted that relations between China and Taiwan still have a "long way to go".

"There are difficulties ahead, but we will take responsibility," said Mr Chen, before leaving the island.

China still considers Taiwan to be a rogue state which is part of its territory. Mr Chen neatly side-stepped the issue of recognising Taiwan's sovereignty on Thursday by remaining silent when meeting President Ma Yingjeou.

Chinese policy prevented him from addressing Mr Ma as "President", while he was unable to call him simply Mr Ma without paying disrespect to his host.

Agreements signed over the week include the establishment of 108 weekly direct flights over the Taiwan Strait and direct shipping links between 63 Chinese ports and 11 Taiwanese ports which will allow Taiwanese companies to take better advantage of China's export opportunities.

There had been a string of similar protests over the week, and a Chinese television camera crew were attacked while trying to film Mr Chen's progress. On Wednesday, Mr Chen was unable to leave his dinner until 2am because of the crowds of protesters outside his restaurant.